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Amanda Batula says persistent online harassment played a major role in her decision to step away from In the City. The reality star has grown weary of trolling, conflicting demands from producers, and fallout from a high-profile romance that upended friendships and on-screen plans.
What Batula says pushed her to leave In the City
Batula has publicly pointed to relentless negativity from fan accounts and internet strangers. She described the attention as overwhelming and emotionally exhausting.
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Batula told contacts she wasn’t ready to return to cameras because the online abuse was too heavy. The criticism, she implied, made the idea of exposing her life again unappealing.
- She worried about daily scrutiny and harsh commentary.
- She said bullying chipped away at her willingness to be filmed.
- Producers reportedly discussed a reduced, part-time role rather than a full return.
Behind the scenes: disagreements over casting and pay
Sources differ on why talks fell apart between Batula and the network. One narrative centers on casting control, another on money.
Conflicting accounts from insiders
- One source says producers offered a scaled-back role for season two.
- Batula allegedly wanted her boyfriend, West Wilson, included on camera.
- Showrunners stood firm that Wilson would not join filming.
- Another source counters that timing simply wasn’t right for either Batula or Wilson.
- A separate tip claims salary negotiations also stalled talks.
Who’s filming now and how the cast is changing
Production reportedly continues with the core group and new additions. The cast is said to include returning faces and two new couples plus one single cast member.
- Filming moved forward without Batula.
- Her estranged husband, Kyle Cooke, and ex-friend Lindsay Hubbard remain involved.
- Two new couples and a single newcomer were added for the sophomore season.
How the romance sparked controversy and severed friendships
The controversy began after Batula and West Wilson revealed they were dating. The reveal came shortly after Batula and Kyle Cooke announced their separation.
Wilson had previously dated Batula’s former close friend and Summer House co-star Ciara Miller. That history intensified the reaction among cast members and fans.
- The relationship ended Batula’s friendship with Miller.
- It also fractured Wilson’s ties with Cooke.
- Cast members publicly addressed the scandal during reunion specials.
Reactions, social media fallout, and follow-up filming
The drama prompted production teams to capture the aftermath. Cameras rolled for both In the City and an extra Summer House episode to document reactions.
Batula and Wilson have remained visible together in New York and online, often sharing their relationship publicly despite backlash.
Despite being dropped from some projects, Wilson is set to reappear on television. Reports indicate he will join the celebrity lineup for Netflix’s Million Dollar Secret Season 3.
